Wow there's been some changes here...and questions!

Don Rac

Don Rac

Joined
Oct 3, 2001
Messages
1,191
It's been a while since I popped in to this forum since I went in the Army, decided that since it was my birthday I'd see if blemishes and deals were up for sale like they used to be. While looking around it seems like it's still the same place from 2005. Sad to see some former familiar faces have passed away since then. Had to take a moment.

So since 2005 I've taken my Chiruwa AK just about everywhere I've gone for the Army. It's not necessarily because I needed it every step of the way, but it was like a friend from home I could shove in my bag and to remember where I'm coming back to. Now it's got a few chips along the edge from hitting some hardwood branches. Do you guys know of a surefire test for me to see how much of the edge is hardened so I can re smooth it and basically give it a good once over to make it look presentation good? I'm surprised I didn't loose the karda and chakma along the way.

This was the first forum I participated in, 12 years later since I first started it's still going strong. That doesn't happen a lot, it's good to see that this place is a strong community.
 
Man Esav, I remember you, as long as the change is mostly for the better we can all manage right?

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That's what it is. I've had buddies whip out tomahawks and I whip this out and everyone played with it until something else came along. No throwing, but a lot of firewood chopping. I forgot where I got the harness from but I KNOW it's from someone here.
 
Since you've still got the Chakmak you can use it to feel how hard the edge is in different spots on the blade. Press a bit as you run it up the edge and you should feel it biting into the softer steel (more "grind" than "glide") then begin to slide atop the harder parts of the edge (more "glide" than "grind").

I also remember reading something about the temper "lines" showing up as a blade aged and got less shiny. The light colored portion of the blade that extends a bit back from the edge looks like the sweet spot, and is likely that way due to hardness.

IMO you should keep that CAK as is. Scars on a blade mean it has been well loved, nothing more.
 
beautiful knife that has known the wilds of life :D , must agree with KJ, i would not fix it , but polish it out, so the traces of its life remain , just slightly shinier.

my experience was very similar to yours-- I left after being here briefly in 2000, and returned to see most of the people i knew back then were gone, but several had managed to stick around. the people here are still as good as the company they support, and we all welcome you back with open arms sir.
 
I haven't been here for very long, but from what I've seen this is just about the friendliest little corner of the internet. Welcome back and thank you for your service!
 
Welcome back Don and Happy birthday! Nice to see an AK go into the history books. Yours is just a pup though. Many more good years ahead for it im sure! You should definitely shark you another. There have been many AK's lately and even some Chiruwas. HI just moved the shop to a new location so we we all on edge for a while but seems everything worked out and Kamis are back to work. Great community here!
 
Hi Don, welcome back even if I'm here only since a few weeks. People here are great.
I like how your blade shows off its sweet spot. The hardened belly has much less scratches than the rest. The chips add character. It looks like an old soldier. Lots of battle wounds to show and stories to tell but still ready to strike when there is a need.
 
I'm not really sure where we are or more specifically where I am and I'm a new guy still sucking the old guys brains of interesting information.

That being said I'm glad you found your way back. Another brain to drain is never a bad thing.

That rig has some similarities to one of Pugs setups. It's a fine idea.
 
Hey Man,
Welcome back and thank you for your service. That is one heck of a khuk you got there and made by the master Bura! Things still at the same here just different names. Hope to see you around.
 
Definitely - welcome back and thank you for your service.

It's your call but I think it would be cool to maybe clean it up a bit but keep the character. It's been a lot of places and there are stories to go along with the. Scratches, dings, etc.
 
Thanks all, I'll just keep it as is, as long as no bright red rust develops. Stories and a journey indeed.
 
Don Rac said:
I'll just keep it as is, as long as no bright red rust develops.
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Take a paper towel and rub it down with food grade mineral oil. That will add a bit of protection, loosen any incipient rust, help soak off dirt. It's good on handles, too.
 
thank you for your service and though you have been through a lot of changes in your course of life its refreshing to see one thing hasn't change, your love for the blade....
 
Welcome back!

I'd be tempted to take a file or a girnder and flatten out the chipped area. The metal underneath may (or may not) be as brittle. Maybe you'll hit the hardness/maleability ratio you like best. You have a lot of metal to go through till you get to the spine of that knife. When it starts to look like a boning knife or a filet knife I'm afraid you'll have to replace it, but I don't see that happening for a couple of hundred years.

As for the fear of red rust, invest in a scotch-brite pad. For a working knife like yours, that's great for keeping the red rust at bay. Quick and easy, and you don't need to be messing with oil and such.
 
I hit it with oil, a mix of mineral oil and coconut, and it looks sweet. If I sharpen this thing down to the spine in my lifetime I've done something wrong.
 
Don Rac, Welcome back and Thank you for your service! Keep it clean and oiled and let it have a place of honor and Rest. :)

Nice to see you posting again!

Initials L. B., Royal Kami Bura's. I have two of his blades that are about ten and a half years old now. They've served me so well that I'll never part with them, unless it's to pass them on to future generations.

If you do deside to fit it up, I can help. . . .
 
Never part with them, agreed. Plenty of time for it to rest when I'm dead :p. What kind of leather madness are you thinking up?
 
Don Rac said:
Never part with them, agreed. Plenty of time for it to rest when I'm dead :p. What kind of leather madness are you thinking up?
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I have the tools to help touch up edges, re-profile or what ever. That's what I was talking about. Though I do know how to make a nice, simple, yet rugged quick draw rig. Strong or cross draw. I've even been known to do some Baldric compatible rigs.
 
Thanks for sharing the well traveled blade and thank you for your service.
I have a few nicks in a few of my khuks and after some different applications I found I like the toothyness they give for cutting big, think rope, especially hemp.

Have a good one,
Mark
 
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